Every year the month of May brings fun and exciting fundraisers for the arrival of Guide Dog Day. In the lead up to this year’s Guide Dog Day, which fell on 24th May, Balbriggan/North County Dublin Guide Dogs branch member Tom O’Neill and Guide Dog Qeb attended the final of the blind soccer tournament organised in Swords Community College to fundraise after Tom and Qeb gave a talk to the transition year students.
The teams were made up of boys and girls, along with teachers who were all blindfolded when the games went on and used a ball that had a bell in it.
“We want to thank Vision Sports Ireland for supplying the footballs. A great afternoon was had and awareness for blindness and guide dogs was raised. We also want to give a special thanks to teachers Katie and Sarah who coordinated the talk and fundraiser,” a spokesperson for the branch said.
The branch were busy fundraising outside Tesco in Millfield Shopping Centre Balbriggan for Guide Dog Day on Friday 24th May and they will be there once again on Saturday 25th
“A big thank you to everyone who came and said hello and supported us. If you missed us, not to worry, as our Branch will be attending Balbriggan Summerfest this year, held in Bremore Castle and grounds over the June Bank holiday weekend. If you would like to support us or potentially meet some of our wonderful Guide Dogs come along and say hello! Hopefully the sun will be shining. Keep an eye on our social media pages for more information on dates and times,” the spokesperson added.
If you are interested in volunteering with us please feel free to contact us at Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Phone/text: 085-7663107; Email: guidedogsbalbriggan@gmail.com. Find us on Facebook: Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs
Two new learn 2 cycle tracks are being installed by Fingal County Council, at Millennium Park, Blanchardstown and in the park adjacent to Brackenstown Road, Swords.
These new cycle tracks will be used for cycling practice by local schools, for group cycling classes arranged by Fingal County Council and will also be open to the public for their use. These tracks will provide a safe learning environment for cycling students of all ages, from small children learning to cycle for the first time to those returning to cycling in their older years, and everyone in between. By learning on a flat surface with correct road markings people will learn to cycle safely obeying the rules of the road. This will later help them to feel confident and safe when using the road in reality.
Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Adrian Henchy, says ‘The learn 2 cycle track in Millennium Park was fully completed last week. It was created on top of the concrete area that is used for the skating rink in the festive period each year. By choosing this location this space has now become a useful feature all year-round, providing cycling opportunities when the ice rink is not in situ.’
Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly says ‘Following the successful installation of the new learn 2 cycle track at Millennium Park, the active travel unit will shortly begin installing the second track in the park adjacent to Brackenstown Road, Swords. . This track will be located just off the Brackenstown Road, next to the playground and very close the local senior and junior national schools at St. Cronan’s. It’s an ideal location where people of all ages, including local pupils, will get great use out of it.’
David Storey, Director of Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel and Sport says ‘These new learn 2 cycle tracks will provide perfect locations for our cycling education programmes. Our cycling and walking officers will offer courses for adults, children and schools programmes in both spaces and we look forward to seeing lots of people using the tracks to practice their own safe cycling skills and teach their children those same skills. Off-road cycling on a course like these ones can really build your confidence and help you understand the safe behaviours needed when cycling on the road while also providing a fun experience in the parks.’
The learn 2 cycle track at Millennium Park is open to the public and the Swords track is expected to be complete and open to the public before the end of May.
Over €220,000 in funding has been allocated to 130 community groups and organisations across Fingal at an event held ringside at Phoenix of Ballyboughal Boxing Club.
The Department of Rural and Community Development’s Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2024 is administered by Local Community Development Committees, with support from the Local Authority, in each area. The funding provides capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas.
This year also saw additional funding allocated towards many Women’s Groups in Fingal, helping to support the growing number of Women’s Sheds located in the county, as well as providing a welcome boost to local groups which provide much needed social networks for women.
Speaking at the announcement, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy, said: “This funding is particularly important as it brings significant investment to the many groups and organisations working in communities across Fingal, especially those in disadvantaged areas. Not only is this level of support from the LEP crucial for carrying out necessary repairs and enhancements to facilities, but it will go some way to helping assist groups in providing invaluable community initiatives locally.”
Announcing the successful projects for Fingal, Minister Joe O’Brien TD said: “The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 provides vital support to community groups in order to help them improve their facilities. It supports small-scale funding for projects which range from purchasing IT equipment to minor renovations to buildings. Ultimately the Programme responds to local needs. These investments allow community groups to carry out the invaluable work they do on behalf of others in local areas throughout the country. The impact of the Local Enhancement Programme is considerable.”
John Quinlivan, Director of Economic Development at Fingal County Council, said: “The LEP represents a substantial funding source that complements other support from Fingal County Council. We deeply value the essential work of volunteers and community groups who are out there actively making Fingal a better place to live, so it is thanks to Government funding like the LEP that groups can continue to play an important role within our communities.”
LEP funding was made available to support small capital works/improvements, the purchase of equipment for community use, including tables and chairs, tools, signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment. A full list of groups is available here: LEP Recipients 2024
The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 was launched in December 2023 with funding of €6 million available nationally, which included €1 million in funding ring-fenced specifically to support Women’s Groups.
With an 88km coastline stretching from Howth to north of Balbriggan, three large protected estuaries and a large number of major beaches, our natural heritage has a strong conservation and amenity value.
Each year, local authorities must identify official bathing areas in their area every year so that they can be monitored for safety, water quality and their level of use. To help with this process, Fingal County Council would like to hear from people who swim at beaches, lakes and rivers to tell them if they think they should maintain existing bathing waters designations or give a new official bathing area designation to areas that are commonly used for swimming but are not identified at the moment.
Under European and Irish law, Irish local authorities must identify bathing waters annually so that these areas can be monitored to ensure they meet stringent microbiological water quality standards. In some cases, the official bathing areas are also the areas where local authorities focus their resources providing lifeguards during the summer season.
These laws also require that the local authority prepares detailed descriptions or profiles for each of the identified bathing water sites that describe not just the bathing area but also areas in the surface waters catchment area that could be a source of pollution. The profiles include an assessment the risk of pollution and what action would be taken if pollution occurs.
Fingal has no shortage of stunning swimming spots to enjoy, with current identified bathing areas as follows: Claremont Beach, Howth; Burrow Beach, Sutton; Portmarnock Beach; Balcarrick Beach, Donabate; Brook Beach, Portrane; South Beach, Rush; North Beach, Rush; Loughshinny Beach; South Strand, Skerries; Balbriggan Beach.
Please note that Malahide Beach, while not identified as a bathing area, is lifeguarded as required by a Water Safety Ireland Risk Assessment (Constant Red Flag).
If you are a regular swimmer and want to help decide which bathing areas should be identified for the 2025 season, it may be helpful to consider the following: How your swimming area has been used up to now? How many people use the site? What facilities (e.g. signage, parking, toilets, picnic area etc) exist at the site and how accessible it is? Any safety issues?
If you wish to propose your favourite beach/river etc as a new bathing water site, or would like to comment on an existing site, please make your submission through our consultation portal or post your written submission to: Operations Department (Bathing Waters), Fingal County Council, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.
The bathing water quality results and annual classification of bathing waters can be viewed at www.beaches.ie. The latest available EPA report Bathing Water in Ireland Report can be viewed here: https://www.epa.ie/publications/
Closing date for submissions is Thursday, 26th September 2024.
We had a busy month with regular training taking place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays along with a fundraising Bag Pack, competing in the Piltown Open Championships in Clonmel and Squad training with JKS Ireland. Our fundraising Bag Pack took place in Dunne’s/JCs in Swords. The purpose of the fundraiser was to raise funds for our students who are going to Japan in July to compete in the JKS World Karate Championships. We had two teams who volunteered for this fundraiser, and they spent Friday evening and all-day Saturday packing groceries for the customers of Dunne’s/JCs. We would like to thank the customers who supported us so magnificently in this fund raiser as we raised over €2000 for our students going to Japan. We hosted JKS Ireland Squad training in Applewood Community Centre this month. Our focus is getting our students ready to compete on the world stage at the World Championships and we covered Kihon, Kata and Kumite as well pushing hard on our general fitness levels. We travelled to Clonmel to compete in the annual Piltown Open Karate Championships. It was a long day as this is an extremely popular competition, but our Squad did very well taking home a number of prizes on the day. Danny, Lola, and Sophia each took third place in Kata while Sophia also took home third place in her kumite section. This is great preparation for the World Championships and our next competition is in early July, a week before we travel. We hosted JKS Ireland Brown & Black Belt training, as well as JKS Ireland Squad training in preparation for the World Championships. Finally, Ava Kane was presented with her Shodan (1 st Black Belt) Diploma and Darragh O’Sullivan was presented with his Nidan (2nd Black Belt) Diploma this month. Our Club is always looking for new members (Children, Young People & Adults). Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join our club. You can also contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: @jks_swords_karate_club
Currently the club are seeking an experienced person for the role of Bar Manager. There is an excellent package for the right applicant. We are seeking an energetic, enthusiastic Bar Manager. Please call Marian 0876819540 or email. We are also building teams at present. if you are interested in getting involved in playing Gaelic football, come along for a really fun filled football hour every Thursday and also Saturday. Finally, congratulations to Mary who came in to collect her winnings from our club lottery. She was joined by family and friends on the evening. Happy spending Mary and folks please remember our lottery finances our club and your support is most welcome.
iSecure Swords Thunder took on St Paul’s Killarney on Saturday 13th April as both teams returned to National Basketball Arena or the Div1 League Trophy Final and took home the Trophy. With a Tip Off at 5.45pm there was nothing between the teams at the end of the third quarter with the scoreboard reading 16 -16. The end-to-end plays continued and there still remained parity at the end of the second quarter at 34- 34. After half time the Thunder girls upped their game and went ahead for the first time in the game which left the third quarter scoreline at 54-47. St Pauls fought hard to even the scoring but the Thunder wre not to be bested on the day and came away 69 -63 winners as the new Division 1 Trophy winners. Congratulations to the team and their coaches and mentors.
There was a great turn out recently and so much work done, what a fantastic group of volunteers, you are all a credit to your community. FCC had a cameraman following us today making a short video of our work in the community. The group adjourned to the Old Schoolhouse for refreshments where they got well looked after by Willie and his wonderful crew. Later in the afternoon some of Swords Tidy Towns members had a cool drink to finish off a long day. Well, done to everyone and look out for that video!
Swords Women’s Shed mission is to unite & empower women within the community through creative craft & socialisation. What a gorgeous spring morning it was recently when Swords Women’s Shed at Swords Men’s Shed joined together for activities. It was an amazing walk and then back to the shed for chats and light refreshments. Congratulations to Grainne with her 10pin bowling and she even picked herself up a medal in the process very well done. And lastly extremely well done to both Swords Women’s Shed and Swords Men’s Shed who raised a whopping €1,120 which will be lodged into Aoibheann’s Pink Tie Charity. Very well done to the committee for organising an amazing event.
Ball Busters women’s football club was formed by Amanda Bracken and Tanya Christie, two friends from Lusk with a passion to play competitive football without the restrictions of playing on an actual team. Two mammies that still wanted the buzz of winning a game but having the craic at the same time. One afternoon after chatting through one of their many notions they decided to start up Ball Busters, a social indoor soccer group, and so it began, February 2023, the beginning of something special. On night one, we thought we would have loads of girls but 6 turned up, we thought all we had to do was organise it and people would show but that was not the case. Through hours of hard work and dedication, we have built a WhatsApp group of over 80 ladies, we rent 3 out of the 5 astros in the Soccer Dome in Santry, with upwards of 40 ladies coming each week. We organise outings, have nights away, we have been to Wexford to play Courtown Hibs and have just come back from Bangor where we played 2 teams and won both matches, we have also done a bungee fitness class, we are very much a social group. We have built something that the ladies look forward to each week and keep coming back. For women in sports week, we will have 60+ ladies in the Dome, who all came together for the same reason, play ball, and have fun. We have built a very supportive environment for everyone, all levels are welcome, if you miss a goal no one is going to shout at you. We are so lucky with the mixture of girls we have, they are such a lovely bunch, there is never a cross word between any of us. It has given us all an outlet, something we can do for ourselves. So why not come and join us. Fancy getting fit, having fun, getting back into football, or trying something new? Then Ball Busters is right up your street. We play every Tuesday in the Soccer Dome in Santry 8-9pm. We have now also added an outdoor session every Monday night 8-9pm in the hope that we will get some fine evenings to enjoy having a kick about outside but hey this is Ireland!
